Hazard detector battery compartment facilitating ease of user access and device robustness

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an access door for a hazard detector includes a release member that releasably secures the access door in a closed position over a battery compartment of the hazard detector. The release member allows the access door to be pivoted open and closed relative to the battery compartment and hazard detector. The access door also includes a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The first hinge member enables the access door to pivot along a first pivot path and by a first pivot amount and the second hinge member enables the access door to pivot along a second pivot path and by a second pivot amount. A cumulative total of the first pivot amount and the second pivot amount is substantially greater than either pivot amount alone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Homes, buildings, and other structures are required to utilize hazarddetectors that detect the presence of a hazard with the home, building,or structure and that alert an occupant to a potential danger. Suchhazard detectors often include battery compartments that house batteriesthat provide a main or supplemental power to the hazard detector. Somehazard detectors include access ports that allow a user to access thebattery compartment for various reasons, such as inspection orreplacement of the batteries. Because access to the batteries is oftendesired or required, the access ports should be easy to use to avoiddiscouraging a user from a required or encouraged inspection orreplacement of the batteries.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide hazard detection devices that maybe used within a home, building, or structure to warn occupants of thehome, building, or structure of a potential danger. In one aspect, ahazard detector includes a housing having an interior region withinwhich components of the hazard detector are contained. The housingincludes a plurality of openings through which air flows so as to beaccessible to a hazard sensor positioned within the interior region ofthe housing. The hazard detector also includes a battery compartmentthat is configured to house one or more batteries that provide a mainpower or supplemental power to one or more components of the hazarddetector. The hazard detector further includes a battery compartmentaccess door that is pivotably coupled with a bottom surface of thehousing. The access door is pivotably closable over the batterycompartment to secure the one or more batteries within the batterycompartment and is pivotably openable to allow user access to the one ormore batteries positioned within the battery compartment for inspection,replacement, and the like.

The access door includes a release member that releasably secures theaccess door in a closed position relative to the housing and that isreleasable to allow the access door to be pivoted open. The access dooralso include a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The firsthinge member pivotably couples the access door to the housing andenables the access door to pivot along a first pivot path by a firstpivot amount or by a first rotational degree. The second hinge memberenables the access door to pivot along a second pivot path by a secondpivot amount or by a second rotational degree. A cumulative total of thefirst pivot amount and the second pivot amount is substantially greaterthan either pivot amount in isolation.

In some embodiments, the hazard detector additionally includes a springthat is coupled with the first hinge member. The spring is configured tobias the access door toward the open position such that operation of therelease member effects automatic opening of the access door. In oneembodiment, the spring is a torsional spring. In some embodiments, thehazard detector additionally includes an access door block that preventsclosing of the access door when less than a full complement of batteriesare positioned within the battery compartment. The access door block maybe configured to pivot into the battery compartment when less than afull complement of batteries are positioned within the batterycompartment. When a full complement of batteries is positioned withinthe battery compartment, the batteries function cooperatively to preventthe access door block from pivoting into the battery compartment. Insome embodiments, the hazard detection additionally includes a stop thatfunctions operationally with the first hinge member to limit the pivotof the access door to the first pivot amount. In some embodiments, thefirst pivot amount is between about 80° and 100° and the second pivotamount is between about 110° and 180°. In some embodiments, the accessdoor includes one or more vanes that direct airflow from an exterior ofthe hazard detector to the interiorly positioned hazard sensor. In someembodiments, the battery compartment access door includes a recessed liphaving a strip of material that presses into contact with the housingwhen closed the battery compartment access door is closed to seal anygaps between the battery compartment access door and the housing.

According to another aspect, a battery access door for a hazard detectoris provided. The hazard detector includes a housing with a plurality ofopenings through which air flows so as to be accessible to a hazardsensor positioned within the interior region of the housing. The batteryaccess door includes a release member, a first hinge member, and asecond hinge member. The release member releasably secures the accessdoor in a closed position over a battery compartment of the housing andis operable to allow the battery access door to be pivoted open to allowuser access to the one or more batteries positioned within the batterycompartment. The battery compartment is configured for housing one ormore batteries that provide a main power or supplemental power to one ormore components of the hazard detector. The first hinge member pivotablycouples the battery access door to the housing and enables the batteryaccess door to pivot along a first pivot path and to pivot a first pivotamount. The second hinge member enables the battery access door to pivotalong a second pivot path and to pivot a second pivot amount. Acumulative total of the first pivot amount and the second pivot amountis substantially greater than either pivot amount in isolation.

In some embodiments, the battery access door also includes a spring thatis coupled with the first hinge member. The spring is configured to biasthe battery access door toward the open position so that operation ofthe release member effects automatic opening of the battery access door.The spring may be a torsional spring. In some embodiments, the hazarddetector includes an access door block that prevents closing of thebattery access door when less than a full complement of batteries arepositioned within the battery compartment. In such embodiments, theaccess door block is configured to pivot into the battery compartmentwhen less than the full complement of batteries is positioned within thebattery compartment. The batteries function cooperatively to prevent theaccess door block from pivoting into the battery compartment when a fullcomplement of batteries is positioned within the battery compartment. Insome embodiments, the battery access door additionally includes a stopthat functions operationally with the first hinge member to limit thepivot of the battery access door to the first pivot amount.

According to another aspect, a method of configuring a hazard detectoris provided. The method includes providing a housing that includes aninterior region within which components of the hazard detector arecontained and includes a plurality of openings through which air flowsso as to be accessible to a hazard sensor positioned within the interiorregion of the housing. The method also includes coupling a batterycompartment with the housing. The battery compartment is configured forhousing one or more batteries that provide a main power or supplementalpower to one or more components of the hazard detector. The methodfurther includes pivotally coupling a battery compartment access doorwith a bottom surface of the housing via a hinge component having afirst pivot member and a second pivot member. The access door ispivotably closable over the battery compartment to secure the one ormore batteries within the battery compartment and is pivotably openableto allow user access to the one or more batteries positioned within thebattery compartment. The first pivot member enables the access door topivot along a first pivot path by a first pivot amount and the secondpivot member enables the access door to pivot along a second pivot pathby a second pivot amount. A cumulative total of the first pivot amountand the second pivot amount is substantially greater than either pivotamount in isolation.

In some embodiments, the method includes coupling a spring with thehinge component, where the spring is configured to bias the access doortoward the open position so that operation of a release member of theaccess door effects automatic opening of the access door. In someembodiments, the spring is a torsional spring. In some embodiments, themethod includes coupling an access door block with the housing so thatthe access door block pivots into the battery compartment when less thana full complement of batteries is positioned within the batterycompartment. When a full complement of batteries is positioned withinthe battery compartment, the batteries function cooperatively to preventthe access door block from pivoting into the battery compartment. Insome embodiments, the hinge component may be operable with, or include,a stop that limits the pivot of the access door via the first pivotmember to the first pivot amount. In some embodiments, the access doormay include one or more vanes that direct airflow from an exterior ofthe hazard detector to the interiorly positioned hazard sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate front and rear perspective views of a hazarddetector that is configured for detecting the presence of the hazardwithin a building or structure.

FIGS. 2-4B illustrate various exploded perspective views of the hazarddetector of FIGS. 1A-B.

FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate an embodiment of components of a smartcombined smoke detector and carbon monoxide device.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate front and rear exploded perspective views of thehazard detector of FIGS. 1A-B.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate front and rear perspective views of a housingcomponent of the hazard detector of FIGS. 1A-B.

FIGS. 7A-D illustrate various views of a battery access door, spring,and hinge component of the hazard detector of FIGS. 1A-B.

FIGS. 7E-G illustrate perspective views of the battery access door in aclosed position and two open positions.

FIGS. 8A-C illustrate top views of a main chassis, battery compartment,and access door block component of the hazard detector of FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 9 illustrates the access door block functioning to prevent closureof the battery access door when one or more batteries are absent fromthe battery compartment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for configuring a hazard detector.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame numerical reference label. Further, various components of the sametype may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letterthat distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If onlythe first numerical reference label is used in the specification, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components and/orfeatures having the same first numerical reference label irrespective ofthe letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

An exemplary usage of the smart hazard detectors described herein is indetecting the presence of smoke within a building or structure andalerting occupants to the presence of smoke. Conventional hazarddetectors often include a battery power source that either functions asa main power source for the hazard detector, or as a supplemental orbackup power source that provides power to the hazard detector when amain power source is lost or otherwise interrupted. As with any devicethat is powered via batteries, the batteries typically need to beroutinely inspected and/or changed, which requires user access to thebattery compartment in which the batteries are housed or stored.

One aspect of the smart hazard detector described herein is theintegration of an improved battery compartment and battery access door.The access door is pivotably positioned over the battery compartment soas to be pivotably opened and closed. The access door secures thebatteries within the battery compartment when closed and allows theaccess door to be pivotably opened to enable user access to thebatteries positioned within the battery compartment for inspectionand/or replacement. The access door includes a release member and aplurality of hinges or pivot components that allow the door to bepivoted open. The release member is configured to releasably secure theaccess door in a closed position relative to the housing to secure thebatteries within the battery compartment, and to allow the access doorto be pivoted open so that the batteries are exposed and accessible tothe user.

The hinges or pivot components include a first hinge member and a secondhinge member. The first hinge member pivotably couples the access doorto the housing and enables the access door to pivot along a first pivotpath by a first pivot amount or rotational degree. The second hingemember enables the access door to pivot along a second pivot path by asecond pivot amount or rotational degree. A cumulative total of thefirst pivot amount and the second pivot amount is substantially greaterthan either pivot amount in isolation. Stated differently, the use oftwo pivot members allows the access door to open to a far greater degreethan would otherwise be achieved by using only one of the pivot members.This configuration helps prevent the access door from interfering withuser access to the batteries and also aids in preventing breakage of theaccess door if the hazard detector is dropped or otherwise mishandled.

When the release member is actuated, the access door may be biasedtoward an open position via an internally positioned spring. In someembodiments, the spring may be a torsion spring that is positionedsubstantially flush with a bottom surface of the housing. The use of thetorsion spring reduces the spring's “footprint” within the hazarddetector device or, stated differently, minimizes the space that isrequired within the hazard detector to accommodate the spring. Thehousing may include channels or other cutout portions within which thespring is positioned.

The battery compartment includes an access door block that prevents theaccess door from being closed over the battery compartment when lessthan a full complement of batteries are positioned within the batterycompartment. Stated differently, when one or more batteries are missingfrom the battery compartment, the access door block prevents the accessdoor from being closed and secured over the batteries. This helps ensurethat the hazard detector is not installed without a sufficient number ofbatteries to power the various components within the hazard device, suchas a smoke chamber, carbon monoxide sensor, or other hazard sensor. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the access door block may beconfigured to pivot into the battery compartment when less than the fullcomplement of batteries are positioned within the battery compartment.In such embodiments, when the full complement of batteries is positionedwithin the battery compartment, the batteries may function cooperativelyto prevent the access door block from pivoting into the batterycompartment.

For overall understanding, a big picture view of a hazard detector ordevice is first described. Such a device may be a dedicated smokedetector or a combination device, such as carbon-monoxide detector andsmoke detector. FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a smart combinedsmoke detector and carbon monoxide device or hazard detector 300(hereinafter hazard detector or smart hazard detector 300). Such anembodiment of a smart hazard detector 300 may be suitable for mountingto a wall or ceiling in a room (or other location) within a structure inwhich smoke and/or carbon monoxide is to be monitored. Hazard detector300 may be “smart,” meaning the device 300 can communicate, likelywirelessly, with one or more other devices or networks. For instance,hazard detector 300 may communicate with a remote server via theInternet and, possibly, a home wireless network (e.g., an IEEE802.11a/b/g network, 802.15 network, such as using the Zigbee® orZ-wave® specification). Such a smart device may allow for a user tointeract with the device via wireless communication, either via a director network connection between a computerized device (e.g., cellularphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or desktop computer) and thesmart device.

FIG. 1A illustrates an angular top projection view of the hazarddetector 300. Hazard detector 300 may generally be square or rectangularand have rounded corners. Visible in the angular top projection view arevarious components of the hazard detector 300, including: cover grille304, lens/button 306, and enclosure or housing 302 (also referred to assensor housing). Cover grille 304 may serve to allow air to enter thehazard detector 300 through many holes while giving the hazard detector300 a pleasing aesthetic appearance. Cover grille 304 may further serveto reflect light into the external environment of hazard detector 300from internal light sources (e.g., LEDs). Light may be routed internallyto cover grille 304 by a light pipe, noted in relation to FIGS. 2-4A. Itshould be understood that the arrangement of holes and shape of covergrille 304 may be varied by embodiment. Lens/button 306 may servemultiple purposes. First, lens/button 306 may function as a lens, suchas a Fresnel lens, for use by a sensor, such as an infrared (IR) sensor,located within hazard detector 300 behind lens/button 306 for viewingthe external environment of hazard detector 300. Additionally,lens/button 306 may be actuated by a user by pushing lens/button 306.Such actuation may serve as user input to hazard detector 300.Enclosure/housing 302 may serve as a housing for at least some of thecomponents of hazard detector 300.

FIG. 1B illustrates an angular bottom projection view of a hazarddetector 300. Visible from this view is a portion of enclosure/housing302. On enclosure/housing 302, battery compartment door 400 is presentthrough which a battery compartment is accessible. Also visible areairflow vents 308, which allow air to pass through enclosure/housing 302and enter the hazard detector 300. The battery access door 400 coversand secures batteries (not shown) positioned within a batterycompartment (not shown). The battery access door 400 may include areleasable member 402, such as a slidable or pivotable button, thatallows the battery access door 400 to be opened to expose the internallypositioned batteries. The housing 302 may also include slots or vents308 through which air or other gas flows into the interior of thehousing 302.

FIGS. 2-4A illustrate an embodiment of an exploded hazard detector. Thedevices of FIGS. 2-4A can be understood as representing various views ofthe hazard detector 300 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In FIG. 2, hazard detector300 is shown having cover grille 304 and enclosure/housing 302, whichtogether house main chassis 320. Main chassis 320 may house variouscomponents that can be present in various embodiments of hazard detector300, including speaker 220, light pipe 230, and microphone 240. FIG. 3illustrates the hazard detector 300 from a different viewpoint. In FIG.3, cover grille 304, enclosure/housing 302, airflow vent 308, andbattery compartment door 400 are visible. A gap may be present betweenenclosure/housing 302 and main circuit board 288 to allow airflowthrough airflow vents 308 to have a relatively unobstructed path toenter and exit smoke chamber 260. In some embodiments, the main circuitboard 288 includes one or more laminar flow covers disposed over some orall components to help with even, laminar airflow within the device andto prevent a user from accidentally touching an ESD sensitive component.Also present in FIG. 3 are multiple batteries, which are installedwithin battery compartment 340 of hazard detector 300 and which areaccessible via battery compartment door 400.

FIG. 4A represents a more comprehensive exploded view of the hazarddetector 300. Hazard detector 300 includes: cover grille 304, mesh 280,lens/button 306, light pipe 281, button flexure 283, main chassis 320,diaphragm 284, passive infrared (PIR) and light emitting diode (LED)daughterboard 285, speaker 220, batteries 271, carbon monoxide (CO)sensor 286, buzzer 287, main circuit board 288, smoke chamber 260,chamber shield 289, enclosure/housing 302, and surface mount plate 290.In some embodiments, the cover grille 304 and/or mesh 280 may help admitCO to the interior of the device where the CO sensor 286 is located. Itshould be understood that alternate embodiments of hazard detector 300may include a greater number of components or fewer components thanpresented in FIG. 4A.

A brief description of the above noted components that have yet to bedescribed follows: Mesh 280 sits behind cover grille 304 to obscureexternal visibility of the underlying components of hazard detector 300while allowing for airflow through mesh 280. Light pipe 281 serves todirect light generated by lights (e.g., LEDs such as the LEDs present ondaughterboard 285) to the external environment of hazard detector 300 byreflecting off of a portion of cover grille 304. Button flexure 283serves to allow a near-constant pressure to be placed by a user onvarious locations on lens/button 306 to cause actuation. Button flexure283 may cause an actuation sensor located off-center from lens/button306 to actuate in response to user-induced pressure on lens/button 306.Diaphragm 284 may help isolate the PIR sensor on daughterboard 285 fromdust, bugs, and other matter that may affect performance. Daughterboard285 may have multiple lights (e.g., LEDS) and a PIR (or other form ofsensor). Daughterboard 285 may be in communication with componentslocated on main circuit board 288. The PIR sensor or other form ofsensor on daughterboard 285 may sense the external environment of hazarddetector 300 through lens/button 306.

Buzzer 287, which may be activated to make noise in case of an emergency(and when testing emergency functionality), and carbon monoxide sensor286 may be located on main circuit board 288. Main circuit board 288 mayinterface with one or more batteries 271, which serve as either theprimary source of power for the device or as a backup source of power ifanother source, such as power received via a wire from the grid, isunavailable. Protruding through main circuit board may be smoke chamber260, such that air (including smoke if present in the externalenvironment) passing into enclosure/housing 302 is likely to enter smokechamber 260. Smoke chamber 260 may be capped by chamber shield 289,which may be conductive (e.g., metallic). Smoke chamber 260 may beencircled by a conductive (e.g., metallic) mesh (not pictured).Enclosure/housing 302 may be attached and detached from surface mountplate 290. Surface mount plate 290 may be configured to be attached viaone or more attachment mechanism (e.g., screws or nails) to a surface,such as a wall or ceiling, to remain in a fixed position.Enclosure/housing 302 may be attached to surface mount plate 290 androtated to a desired orientation (e.g., for aesthetic reasons). Forinstance, enclosure/housing 302 may be rotated such that a side ofenclosure/housing 302 is parallel to an edge of where a wall meets theceiling in the room in which hazard detector 300 is installed.

FIG. 4B represents the comprehensive exploded view of the hazarddetector 300 of FIG. 4A viewed from a reverse angle as presented in FIG.4A. Hazard detector 300 includes: cover grille 304, mesh 280,lens/button 306, light pipe 281, button flexure 283, main chassis 320,diaphragm 284, passive infrared (PIR) and light emitting diode (LED)daughterboard 285, batteries 271, speaker 220, carbon monoxide (CO)sensor 286 (not visible), buzzer 287 (not visible), main circuit board288, smoke chamber 260, chamber shield 289, enclosure/housing 302, andsurface mount plate 290. It should be understood that alternateembodiments of hazard detector 300 may include a greater number ofcomponents or fewer components than presented in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a top view of an embodiment of some components of a smartcombined smoke detector and carbon monoxide device, and FIG. 4D is across-sectional view of those components taken along cutting-plane lineC-C of FIG. 4C. One of the illustrated components is gasket 284. In someembodiments, gasket 284 physically and thermally isolates PIR sensor 291by providing thermal-resistant barrier around heat-sensitive PIR sensor291, thereby limiting heat transfer from LEDs via radiation and/orconvection. In some embodiments, gasket 284 is disposed between supportlens/button 306 and PCB 285, and at least partially encloses PIR sensor291. In some embodiments, gasket 284 includes sleeve 293 and flange 295.Sleeve 293 slides tightly over and surrounds at least a portion of outerperiphery of a body portion of PIR sensor 291, thereby providing athermal-isolation barrier at least partially around PIR sensor 291. Insome embodiments, 295 flange is a flexible diaphragm that flexes anddeforms to allow actuation of button/lens 306, while enabling sleeve 293to maintain a seal around PIR sensor 291. In some embodiments, gasket284 is made of a silicone rubber sleeve

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, illustrated are front and rearexploded perspective views of several components of the hazard detector300. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the hazard detectors cover grille 304that is positioned in front of and securable to the housing 302. Thefigures also illustrate the main chassis 320 that is disposed betweenthe cover grille 304 and the bottom of the housing 302. The main chassis320 is positioned within the interior of the hazard detector 300 whenthe cover grille 304 is attached to the housing 302. In manyembodiments, the main chassis 320 is configured to attach to the innerportion of the cover grille 304 via engagement between snap orinterlocking components of the main chassis 320 and cover grille 304.The main chassis 320 may include a centrally located aperture or holethrough which one or more components of the hazard detector 300 arepositioned, such as a proximity sensor (not shown) and/or a switch (notshown). The main chassis 320 may include one or more additionalapertures or other features that mount and/or operationally coupled withvarious other components of the hazard detector 300. The housing 302typically includes one or more vanes 310 that direct airflow from anexterior of the hazard detector to the interiorly positioned hazardsensor, such as a smoke chamber. The battery access door 400 alsotypically includes one or more vanes 310 that direct airflow from anexterior of the hazard detector to the interiorly positioned hazardsensor. In some embodiments, the vanes 310 of the battery access door400 and/or housing 302 may be arranged to funnel or flow air to a hazardsensor that is positioned off-axis from a central axis or location ofthe hazard detector 300.

The battery compartment 340 is positioned on a rear lower portion of themain chassis 320. When coupled with the housing 302, the batterycompartment 340 is positioned directly adjacent and axially above thebattery access door 400 so that opening of the battery access door 400exposes batteries positioned within the battery compartment 340. Themain chassis 320 may include one or more threaded bosses that enable themain chassis 320 to be attached or coupled with the housing 302 viascrews or other mechanical fasteners. In other embodiments, the mainchassis 320 may be coupled with the cover grille 304 and/or housing 302via the use of adhesives, heat welding, sonic or RF welding, and thelike.

FIGS. 6A-7G provide a more detailed illustration of the battery accessdoor 400 of hazard detector 300. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate front andrear perspective views of the housing 302 with the battery access door400 in a closed position. As shown in FIG. 6A, the battery access door400 is pivotally coupled with the housing 302 via a hinge component 324.The hinge component 324 includes a relatively linear or straight rearportion 328 and an arcuate, curved, or sloped front portion 326 suchthat overall side profile of the hinge component is c-shaped orn-shaped. The hinged component 324 is also coupled with a torsion barspring 420 that is pre-tensioned to bias the battery access door 400towards an open position when the release mechanism 402 is operated oractuated by a user. A central portion of the torsion bar spring 420 ispositioned within a groove or recess 432 of housing 302. Positioning thetorsion bar spring 420 within the recess 432 of housing 302 enables thetorsion bar spring 420 to maintain a flat or low profile within thehousing 302. Stated differently, positioning the torsion bar spring 420within the housing 302 in this manner minimizes the housing's interiorspace that is necessary to accommodate the torsion bar spring 420because the torsion bar spring 420 does not protrude or otherwise extendinto the interior space of the housing 302.

As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 7B, the torsion bar spring 420includes a U-shaped central portion 422 and two laterally extending armsthat extend in opposite directions from the U-shaped central portion422. A finger or protrusion 424 extends roughly orthogonally from adistal end of each laterally extending arms. When combined with thehousing 302, the U-shaped central portion 422 of the torsion bar 420 ispositioned within the corresponding U-shaped recess or channel 432 ofhousing 302. The U-shaped central portion 422 of torsion bar 420prevents the torsion bar 420 from rotating within a recess or channel432 of the housing 302 when torque or a moment force is applied to thetorsion bar spring 420 via fingers 424, such as when the battery accessdoor 400 is rotated into the closed position.

Positioned directly adjacent and on opposite sides of the U-shapedportion of recess or channel 432 are torsion bar spring guides 434 thatsecure and maintain the torsion bar spring 420 within the recessed orchannel 432 of housing 302. One of the guides 434 may include anaperture or hole (not numbered) through which the finger or protrusion424 and laterally extending arm are inserted. The other guide 434 mayinclude a slot or channel (not numbered) within which the oppositelaterally extending arms is inserted. In such embodiment, the torsionbar 420 may be coupled with the housing 302 by inserting one of thefingers or protrusions 424 and laterally extending arms through theguide 434 with the aperture or hole and then inserting or positioningthe other laterally extending arms within the channel or slot of theother guide 434.

The inner surface of the housing 302 also includes retaining elements ormembers 426 and 428 that maintain and secure the battery access door 400in a pivotal relationship with the housing 302. As with the guides 434,one of the retaining elements 426 includes a hole or aperture (notnumbered) through which one end of a pivot rod 325 is inserted and theother retaining element 428 includes a slot or channel within which theopposite end of the pivot rod 325 is positioned. The configuration ofthe retaining elements 426 and 428 facilitate easy coupling of thebattery access door 400 with the housing 302.

Referring now to FIGS. 7C and 7D, illustrated is the hinged component324 of battery access door 400 in greater detail. FIGS. 7C and 7Dillustrate one end of the pivot rod 325 of hinge component 324positioned within the aperture of a retaining element 426 and theopposite end of the pivot rod 325 positioned within the slot or channelof the other retaining element 428. FIGS. 7C and 7D also illustrate thefinger or protrusion 424 of the torsion bar spring 420 operationallycoupled with the hinged component 324 of battery access door 400.Specifically, the laterally extending arm of the torsion bar spring 420is positioned within a slot or channel 444 of the pivot rod 325. Thefinger or protrusion 424 extends upward through an access slot 446 ofthe pivot rod 325 and into contact with a surface 442 of the straightrear portion 328 of hinge component 324. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D,the straight rear portion 328 and sloped front portion 326 of hingecomponent 324 include lips or flanges that extend outward so that thesurface 442 is slightly recessed. This configuration aids in maintainingthe contact and coupling between the finger protrusion 424 and thesurface 442 of the hinge component 324.

The torsion bar spring 420 may be coupled with the housing 302 andbattery access door 400 by first coupling the torsion bar spring 420with the housing 302 as described above and then by positioning thetorsion bar spring's fingers/protrusions 424 and laterally extendingarms within the slots, 444 and 446, of the pivot rod 325. In assemblingthe torsion bar spring 420 and battery access door 400, the torsion barsprings 420 may be torqued or pre-tensioned so that the torsion barspring 420 biases the battery access door 400 toward an openconfiguration. As such, when the release member 402 is operated, thebattery access door 400 may automatically pivot open. Exemplarymaterials and/or wire diameters for torsion bar spring 420 include musicwire ASTM 228, 0.4-0.7 mm diameter. According to one embodiment, thetorsion bar spring 420 may be pre-tensioned or torqued by rotating thefingers/protrusions 424 by between 60 and 80 degrees relative to thelaterally extending arms.

The coupling between the pivot rod 325 and retaining elements, 426 and428, define or establish a first pivot point or member 330 of the hingecomponent 324. A second pivot point or member 332 is also defined orestablished on the opposite end of the hinge component 324.Specifically, a distal end of the sloped front portion 326 is pivotallycoupled with an inner surface of the battery access door 400. To couplea distal end of the sloped front portion 326 with the inner surface ofthe battery access door 400, a pin 454 is inserted through a hole oraperture of a pair of retaining element 450 of the battery access door400 and through a hole or aperture of a retaining element 448 of thehinge component 324. The battery access door 400 pivots around the pin454 and about the hinge component 324. As described above, the hingecomponent 324 is a double hinged member that enables pivoting of thebattery access door 400 about the housing 302 and about the hingecomponent 324 itself.

A cushion or pad 452 is positioned between the inner surface of thebattery access door 400 and the distal end of the sloped front portion326. The pad 452 cushions the inner surface of the battery access door400 when the battery access door is pivoted into the closed position.The pad 452 prevents sudden contact between the distal end of the slopedfront portion 326 and the inner surface of the battery access door 400and thereby prevents or reduces noise that would result from suchcontact.

The outer perimeter of the battery access door 400 includes a recessedlip that is positioned and rests within a corresponding recessed lip(not shown) of the housing's battery access opening 430 (see FIG. 7B).The recessed lips of the battery access door 400 and the housing'sbattery access opening 430 allow the battery access door 400 to layapproximately flat against the bottom surface of the housing 302 whenthe battery access door 400 is in the closed position. The recessed lipof the battery access door 400 includes a strip of material 312 that,when closed, presses into contact with and housing's recessed lip andseals any gaps that would otherwise exist between the battery accessdoor 400 and the housing 302. In this manner, the battery access door400 may be closed and secured in an air tight relationship with thehousing 302. The air tight seal between the battery access door 400 andthe housing 302 ensures that air flow is directed into the interior ofthe hazard detector 300 and not directed therefrom, which may occur ininstances where a pressure differential exists between the front andrear surfaces of the hazard detector due to an electrical mounting boxor for other reasons. Exemplary materials that may be used for thematerial strip 312 include urethane foam. In one embodiment, thematerial strip 312 may be between 1.12 mm and 1.52 mm wide and 0.79 mmand 0.89 mm thick.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, illustrated is the battery access door 400 inan a first and second open or pivot position. The battery access door400 pivots, via the first pivot point or member 330, by an angle θ₁relative to the bottom surface of housing 302 to the fist pivotposition. In one embodiment, angle θ₁ that is provided by first pivotpoint or member 330 may be between about 70° and 110°, more commonlybetween about 80° and 100°, and most often about 90°. The straight rearportion 328 of hinge component 324 may function as a stop to limit thepivoting of the battery access door 400 via or about the first pivotpoint or member 330. For example, the straight rear portion 328 maycontact the inner surface of the housing member 302 when the batteryaccess door 400 has pivoted or rotated an amount or angular degreeequivalent to θ₁. The pivot stop function of the straight rear portion328 may prevent the torsion spring bar 420 from automatically openingthe battery access door 400 too much or beyond a desired degree. Thestraight rear portion 328 and/or the inner surface of the housing 302may include a cushion or pad (not shown) similar to pad 452 thatprevents abrupt contact between the components and prevents or minimizesany noise. As shown in FIG. 7A, the battery access door 400 pivots tothe first pivot position along or about a first pivot path. The firstpivot path has a pivot arc or radius that is equivalent to the distancebetween the pivot rod 325 and an inner edge of the battery access door400.

The battery access door 400 also pivots to the second pivot position,via the second pivot point or member 332, by an angle θ₂ relative to thefirst pivot position of battery access door 400. As illustrated, thebattery access door 400 rotates in the same angular direction from fullyclosed to the first pivot or open position and the second pivot or openposition. In one embodiment, angle θ₂ that is provided by second pivotpoint or member 332 may be between about 30° and 100°, most commonlybetween about 60° and 90°, and most often about 80°. In someembodiments, the material strip 312 may contact the distal end of thesloped front portion 326 to limit the pivoting of the battery accessdoor 400 via or about the second pivot point or member 332. The materialstrip 312 may prevent or limit abrupt contact between the components andprevent or minimize any noise. In such embodiments, angle θ₂ may beabout 45°. The battery access door 400 pivots to the second pivotposition along or about a second pivot path that is different than thefirst pivot path. The second pivot path is a pivot of the battery accessdoor 400 directly about the pin 454 that couples the battery access door400 and hinge component 324.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the pivot path provided by the first pivotmember 330 is different than the pivot path provided by the second pivotmember 332. Specifically, the first pivot member 300 effects a rotationof the hinge component 324 and the battery access door 400 while thesecond pivot member 332 effects a rotation of the battery access door400 only (i.e., not a rotation of the hinge component 324. Accordingly,the first pivot or rotational path is a larger sweep of the batteryaccess door 400 in comparison with the second pivot or rotational path.Stated differently, the battery access door's radius of rotation isgreater when pivoting along the first pivot path than when pivotingalong the second pivot path.

The double hinge configuration of hinge component 324 allows the batteryaccess door to pivot open by a far greater amount or to a far greaterdegree than would be achieved via the use of first pivot point or member330 or second pivot point or member 332 in isolation. For example, theuse of the first pivot point or member 330 and the second pivot point ormember 332 in combination enables the battery access door to pivot openby an angle θ₃ relative to the bottom surface of the housing 302. Angleθ₃ is a combination of angle θ₁ and angle θ₂ and may be between about120° and 180°, although an angle of between about 150° and 180°, andpreferable 180° is more common. The greater opening of the batteryaccess door provides greater user access to the internally positionedbatteries and/or prevents accidental breaking of the battery access door400 if the hazard detector 300 is dropped or otherwise mishandled. Forexample, if the hazard detector 300 is dropped and the battery accessdoor 400 contacts the ground, some of the impact energy will betransferred into rotation of the battery access door about the secondpivot point or member 332 instead of being transferred to the hingecomponent 324 and/or its various members, which may break the hingecomponent 324 and/or its various members.

FIGS. 7E-G illustrate perspective views of the battery access door inthe closed position and the two open positions. Specifically, FIG. 7Eillustrates the battery access door 400 of hazard detector 300 in theclosed position while FIG. 7F illustrates the battery access door 400 inthe first pivot or open position relative to hazard detector 300 andFIG. 7G illustrates the battery access door 400 in the second pivot oropen position relative to hazard detector 300. FIG. 7G illustrates theadditional rotational motion achieved via the double hinge configurationof the battery access door 400. As illustrated, in some embodiments thebattery access door 400 may lay fully flat against the housing 302 whenin the second pivot or open position. In such embodiments, the batteryaccess door 400 is capable of essentially 180° of rotation relative tothe housing 302.

As briefly described above and illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 7B, thebattery access door 400 includes a release member 402 that releasablycloses and secures the battery access door 400 over the batterycompartment 340. The release member includes a latch 403 that slidesover and into contact with the inner surface of the housing's batteryaccess opening 430 to secure the battery access door 400 closed. The topsurface of the battery access door 400 includes a button member 405 thatupon user actuation slides proximally and distally within an oval recessor groove (not numbered) to move the latch 403 into or out of contactwith the inner surface of the housing's battery access opening 430 andthereby lock or release the access door 400 about the housing 302. Thebutton member 405 is biased toward the closed and secured or lockedposition so that the battery access door 400 may be pivoted closed andautomatically locked or secured about housing 302 and over batterycompartment 340. The button member 405 includes ridges or a flangedperimeter that aids in transferring a user's force proximally anddistally about battery access door 400 rather than downward toward thehazard detector's interior. An air flow block component 407 may bepositioned on an inner surface of the battery access door 400 andaxially below the button member 405 to prevent or limit air flow into orout of the hazard detector 300 via small openings in the release member402.

FIGS. 8A-9 illustrate the battery compartment 340 in greater detail andspecifically an access door block 350 that is positioned adjacent thebattery compartment 340 and operable to prevent closure of the batteryaccess door 400 when less than a full complement of batteries ispositioned within the battery compartment. Stated differently, theaccess door block 350 is configured to prevent closure of the batteryaccess door 400 when one or more batteries are missing or not positionedwithin the battery compartment 340. The access door block 350 preventsclosure of the battery access door 400 by pivoting into an interiorspace of the battery compartment 340 when less than the full complementof batteries is positioned within the battery compartment. Whenpositioned in the interior space of the battery compartment 340, theaccess door block 350 contacts one or more of the vanes 310 positionedon the battery access door 400 to prevent closure of the battery accessdoor. When a full complement of batteries is positioned within thebattery compartment 340, the batteries function cooperatively to preventthe access door block 350 from pivoting into the interior space of thebattery compartment 340.

FIG. 8A illustrates the access door block 350 pivoted into the interiorspace 342 of the battery compartment 340. The battery compartment 340includes a casing that houses the batteries. The casing may include aplurality of chambers or slots for holding a plurality of batteries,with each chamber including a positive terminal and a negative terminal.The casing may also include a divider 346 that divides left and rightbattery chambers or slots. The casing further includes ribs 344 that arepositioned on one end of the chamber (e.g., adjacent the negativeterminal) and that function to maintain the one end of the batterywithin the chamber and adjacent the corresponding terminal. The ribs 344may aid in defining the chambers within the casing.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when one or more batteries are absent from thebattery compartment (i.e., the battery compartment includes less than afull complement of batteries), the access door block 350 is pivoted intothe inter space 342 of the battery compartment 340. The access doorblock 350 is positioned about and pivotally coupled with a central boss353 that is attached to the main chassis 320. A spring (not shown) ispositioned around the central boss 353 and coupled with the main chassis320 and the access door block 350. The spring biases the access doorblock 350 to pivot into the interior space 342 when one or morebatteries are not positioned within the battery compartment 340. Asshown in FIG. 8C, the spring force exerted on the access door block 350is sufficient to deflect or push an end of one or more batteries 360 outof its chamber when the battery or batteries 360 are positioned adjacentthe access door block 350 and one or more batteries 360 are missing fromthe battery compartment 340. The other end of the battery or batteries360 may remain positioned within the chamber due to contact with orinterference from the ribs 344. The configuration of the access doorblock 350 ensures that the access door block 350 will pivot into theinterior space 342 when one or more batteries are not present within thebattery compartment 340.

FIG. 8B illustrates that when all the batteries 360 are positionedwithin the battery compartment 340, the batteries function cooperativelyto prevent the access door block 350 from pivoting into the interiorspace 342. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, when three batteries360 are positioned in the left three chambers of battery compartment340, a force exerted on a battery 360 that is adjacent the access doorblock 350 is transferred to the other two batteries 360 and to thedistal exterior wall of the casing of battery compartment 340, whichprevents the access door block 350 from displacing the batteries 360from their respective chambers and pivoting into the interior space 342.When three batteries 360 are likewise positioned in the right threechambers of the battery compartment 340, these batteries likewisefunction cooperatively to prevent the access door block 350 frompivoting into the interior space 342. If a single battery is removedfrom one of the left chambers or right chambers, however, the respectiveaccess door block 350 will pivot into the interior space 342 asdescribed above. It should be realized that the battery compartment ofFIGS. 8A-8C is illustrative only and that the battery compartment couldinclude more or fewer batteries and/or chambers as desired.

FIG. 9 illustrates the access door block 350 functioning to preventclosure of the battery access door 400. Specifically, the access doorblock 350 includes a raised distal end 354 that contacts one of thevanes 310 of the battery access door 400 when the access door block 350is positioned in the interior space 342 of the battery compartment 340.Contact between the raised distal end 354 of the access door block 350and the vane 310 of the battery compartment 340 prevents the batteryaccess door 400 from being closed. When the access door block 350 ispivoted out of the battery compartment's interior space 342, the raiseddistal end 354 of the access door block 350 is positioned so as not tocontact any of the vanes 310 of the battery access 400, which allowsclosure of the battery access door 400.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated is a method 1000 for configuring ahazard detector. At block 1010, a housing is provided. The housingincludes an interior region within which components of the hazarddetector are contained and includes a plurality of openings throughwhich air flows so as to be accessible to a hazard sensor positionedwithin the interior region of the housing. At block 1020, a batterycompartment is coupled with the housing. As described above, the batterycompartment may be positioned on a front plate or main chassis that iscoupled with the housing and/or a cover that is coupled with thehousing. The battery compartment is configured for housing one or morebatteries that provide a main power or supplemental power to one or morecomponents of the hazard detector. At block 1030, a battery compartmentaccess door is pivotally coupled with a bottom surface of the housingvia a hinge component having a first pivot member and a second pivotmember. The access door is pivotably closable over the batterycompartment to secure the one or more batteries within the batterycompartment and is pivotably openable to allow user access to the one ormore batteries positioned within the battery compartment. The firstpivot member enables the access door to pivot along a first pivot pathby a first pivot amount and the second pivot member enables the accessdoor to pivot along a second pivot path by a second pivot amount. Acumulative total of the first pivot amount and the second pivot amountis substantially greater than either pivot amount in isolation.

In some embodiments, the method optionally includes coupling a springwith the hinge component (block 1040), where the spring is configured tobias the access door toward the open position so that operation of arelease member of the access door effects automatic opening of theaccess door. In some embodiments, the spring is a torsional spring. Insome embodiments, the method optionally includes coupling an access doorblock with the housing (block 1050) so that the access door block pivotsinto the battery compartment when less than a full complement ofbatteries is positioned within the battery compartment. When a fullcomplement of batteries is positioned within the battery compartment,the batteries function cooperatively to prevent the access door blockfrom pivoting into the battery compartment. In some embodiments, thehinge component may be operable with, or include, a stop that limits thepivot of the access door via the first pivot member to the first pivotamount. In some embodiments, the access door may include one or morevanes that direct airflow from an exterior of the hazard detector to theinteriorly positioned hazard sensor.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elementshave not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Accordingly, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed.The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently beincluded or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neitheror both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassedwithin the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in thestated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are alsoincluded.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes aplurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includesreference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to thoseskilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and“includes” when used in this specification and in the following claimsare intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers,components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, orgroups.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hazard detector for detecting the presence of ahazard in a building or structure, the hazard detector comprising: ahousing having an interior region within which components of the hazarddetector are contained, the housing having a plurality of openingsthrough which air flows so as to be accessible to a hazard sensorpositioned within the interior region of the housing; a batterycompartment configured for housing one or more batteries that provide amain power or supplemental power to one or more components of the hazarddetector; and a battery compartment access door that is pivotablycoupled with a bottom surface of the housing, the access door beingpivotably closable over the battery compartment to secure the one ormore batteries within the battery compartment and the access door beingpivotably openable to allow user access to the one or more batteriespositioned within the battery compartment such as for inspection orreplacement, the access door comprising: a release member thatreleasably secures the access door in a closed position relative to thehousing and that is releasable to allow the access door to be pivotedopen; a first hinge member that pivotably couples the access door to thehousing, the first hinge member enabling the access door to pivot alonga first pivot path by a first pivot amount; and a second hinge memberthat enables the access door to pivot along a second pivot path by asecond pivot amount, wherein a cumulative total of the first pivotamount and the second pivot amount is substantially greater than eitherpivot amount in isolation.
 2. The hazard detector of claim 1, furthercomprising a spring that is coupled with the first hinge member, thespring being configured to bias the access door toward the open positionsuch that operation of the release member effects automatic opening ofthe access door.
 3. The hazard detector of claim 2, wherein the springis a torsional spring.
 4. The hazard detector of claim 1, furthercomprising an access door block that prevents closing of the access doorwhen less than a full complement of batteries are positioned within thebattery compartment.
 5. The hazard detector of claim 4, wherein theaccess door block is configured to pivot into the battery compartmentwhen less than the full complement of batteries are positioned withinthe battery compartment, and wherein when the full complement ofbatteries is positioned within the battery compartment, the batteriesfunction cooperatively to prevent the access door block from pivotinginto the battery compartment.
 6. The hazard detector of claim 1, furthercomprising a stop that functions operationally with the first hingemember to limit the pivot of the access door to the first pivot amount.7. The hazard detector of claim 1, wherein the first pivot amount isbetween about 80° and 100° and wherein the second pivot amount isbetween about 130° and 180°.
 8. The hazard detector of claim 1, whereinthe battery compartment access door includes a recessed lip having astrip of material that presses into contact with the housing when closedthe battery compartment access door is closed to seal any gaps betweenthe battery compartment access door and the housing.
 9. A battery accessdoor for a hazard detector having a housing with a plurality of openingsthrough which air flows so as to be accessible to a hazard sensorpositioned within the interior region of the housing, the battery accessdoor comprising: a release member that releasably secures the accessdoor in a closed position over a battery compartment of the housing, thebattery compartment being configured for housing one or more batteriesthat provide a main power or supplemental power to one or morecomponents of the hazard detector, the release member being operable toallow the battery access door to be pivoted open to allow user access tothe one or more batteries positioned within the battery compartment; afirst hinge member that pivotably couples the battery access door to thehousing, the first hinge member enabling the battery access door topivot along a first pivot path and to pivot a first pivot amount; and asecond hinge member that enables the battery access door to pivot alonga second pivot path and to pivot a second pivot amount; wherein acumulative total of the first pivot amount and the second pivot amountis substantially greater than either pivot amount in isolation.
 10. Thebattery access door of claim 9, further comprising a spring that iscoupled with the first hinge member, the spring being configured to biasthe battery access door toward the open position such that operation ofthe release member effects automatic opening of the battery access door.11. The battery access door of claim 10, wherein the spring is atorsional spring.
 12. The battery access door of claim 9, furthercomprising an access door block that prevents closing of the batteryaccess door when less than a full complement of batteries are positionedwithin the battery compartment.
 13. The battery access door of claim 12,wherein the access door block is configured to pivot into the batterycompartment when less than the full complement of batteries arepositioned within the battery compartment, and wherein the batteriesfunction cooperatively to prevent the access door block from pivotinginto the battery compartment.
 14. The battery access door of claim 9,further comprising a stop that functions operationally with the firsthinge member to limit the pivot of the battery access door to the firstpivot amount.
 15. A method of configuring a hazard detector comprising:providing a housing having an interior region within which components ofthe hazard detector are contained and having a plurality of openingsthrough which air flows so as to be accessible to a hazard sensorpositioned within the interior region of the housing; coupling a batterycompartment with the housing, the battery compartment being configuredfor housing one or more batteries that provide a main power orsupplemental power to one or more components of the hazard detector; andpivotably coupling a battery compartment access door with a bottomsurface of the housing via a hinge component having a first pivot memberand a second pivot member, the access door being pivotably closable overthe battery compartment to secure the one or more batteries within thebattery compartment and being pivotably openable to allow user access tothe one or more batteries positioned within the battery compartment,wherein: the first pivot member enables the access door to pivot along afirst pivot path by a first pivot amount; and the second pivot memberenables the access door to pivot along a second pivot path by a secondpivot amount, wherein a cumulative total of the first pivot amount andthe second pivot amount is substantially greater than either pivotamount in isolation.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingcoupling a spring with the hinge component, the spring being configuredto bias the access door toward the open position such that operation ofa release member effects automatic opening of the access door.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the spring is a torsional spring.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising coupling an access door blockwith the housing so that the access door block pivots into the batterycompartment when less than a full complement of batteries are positionedwithin the battery compartment, wherein when the full complement ofbatteries is positioned within the battery compartment, the batteriesfunction cooperatively to prevent the access door block from pivotinginto the battery compartment.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thehinge component is operable with a stop that limits the pivot of theaccess door via the first pivot member to the first pivot amount. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein the access door includes one or morevanes that direct airflow from an exterior of the hazard detector to theinteriorly positioned hazard sensor.